SANTIAGO'S ROAD

The Camino de Santiago, also known in Viana as "The French Way". Although not all the pilgrims were French, since Italians, Germans, Flemish, etc., came, the high number of those with respect to the others, determined that the path was called that.

PRIMITIVE ROUTE 

The Jacobean pilgrim from Sansol and Torres del Río, entered the old Vianese demarcation through the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Poyo, on the current km 72 road (today the jurisdiction of Bargota). From here it descended to the Cornava basin, with its church of Santa María, which disappeared in 1219 when it was joined to the city. After leaving the road to the right, he went up several slopes and saw two hospitals: San Bartolomé and San Julián (both disappeared). Continuing along the path, we reached the Alberguería plain (so called because there was a hermitage-albergue dedicated to Santa María in that area).

From this plain and after the foundation of Viana in 1219, the pilgrims would go up to the then town to make purchases in its market, or the wealthiest to stay in the inns, others for cultural, artistic or religious interests. In the town there was a hospital dedicated to Santa Catalina. When leaving, they took several routes. The main route is the current flat route between vineyards and olive groves to Cuevas hollow, an old town with its church, and just a little further on, the Trinidad convent-hospital, property of the Trinitarians and from the 14th century, of the Commendation of Roncesvalles. Before reaching Logroño, the pilgrim passed through the hermitage of San Andrés (disappeared).

HOSPITALS FOR PILGRIMS

To help them and protect them on their journey, hermitages, hospitals and shelters emerged, such as those of San Bartolomé, San Julián and Santa Catalina. Two other villages, Perizuelas and Piedrafita, are very close to the road. Next to the latter, in the municipality of Torreviento, there was a small Benedictine monastery dedicated to San Pedro and dependent on the royal abbey of Santa María de Nájera. Near the village of Cuevas there was another convent with a hospital function, that of the Trinitarian friars, who also carried out the same mission in Puente la Reina, an important place in the Jacobean pilgrimage due to the confluence of various routes.

THE WAY TO SANTIAGO TODAY

Pilgrims who have done the Camino de Santiago say that the stretch to reach Viana is a bit treacherous, since the city can be seen from afar, and it seems that it never arrives.

The pilgrim enters through the N-111 road and comes across a fountain, “The Pilgrim's Fountain”. There he recovers and gains strength to climb the slopes until he reaches the Trinity portal. It arrives at the Plaza del Coso and enters the main street, up to the church of Santa María, an authentic Jewel of the Camino de Santiago.

It is already in the center of the city, the Plaza de Los Fueros, where it once again has a fountain, shade and benches and, in addition, you can get information at the tourist office, under the portals of the town hall. Continue along the main street, without stopping to contemplate the majestic noble houses and arrive at the church of San Pedro. There on the left is the  Pilgrim Hostel .

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